Shannon Sharpe said something a few days ago about Ezekiel Elliot that many NFL fans would most likely agree with. Sharpe said that we’ve never seen a running back in year seven recapture what they lost two or three years ago. People agreed with this statement, and I even saw many fans go a step further and say that the Cowboys would be better with Zeke off the roster, which would ultimately lead to Tony Pollard getting a massive increase in touches. While I agree with Shannon’s take and the idea that Pollard needs more touches, the idea that the Cowboys are better without Zeke is ludicrous.
The sentiment around Cowboys fans and the NFL is that Ezekiel Elliot is an overpaid, washed-up former shell of his once dominant self. We can assume that the Zeke we saw his rookie year in 2016 is no more. But the Cowboys don’t need Zeke to get 1800 yards again, and as nice of luxury as that would be, it’s just not a realistic possibility. The Cowboys aren’t handing the ball off to Zeke 322 times, and the offense will have a more balanced timeshare with Tony Pollard emerging as a real weapon.
The Narrative is Wrong
What the Cowboys need from Zeke is someone you can rely on to do some of the things a top 10 RB should do. And Zeke can still do that. I think his injury-riddled second half of last season is blinding people to how good he was the first half of last season. If you remember, through the Cowboys’ first seven games last year, Zeke was 3rd in the NFL in rushing yards and already racked up four games of 100+ all-purpose yards. It was the best he’s looked in years, and if not for the knee injury that hobbled him, the narrative around him probably changes.
A lot of the animosity towards Zeke’s play has been misguided. I get the frustrations with Zeke had centered around him getting paid like a top 5 back when he hasn’t played up to that. It’s a fair gripe, but we have to acknowledge that he’s never going to be that guy again. That doesn’t mean the team is better without him. Ezekiel Elliot is still a very good back and, when healthy, he provides the team with things that Pollard does not. For example, Zeke’s ability as a blocker to pick up free rushers is an exponentially underrated quality. His power allows the Cowboys to wear a defense down late in games while giving you a guy who can get you a few yards in a cloud of dust. I’ve often seen Zeke pick up tough yards in crucial short-yardage situations.
1-2 Punch
Both these skills are some that Pollard does not present. I don’t understand the narrative that Cowboy fans push that Pollard’s ascension means Zeke no longer has a place on the team. Pollard can be the Yin to Zeke’s Yang. Pinning them against each other is weird concept fans have drummed up. The NFL is straying away from workhorse backs, and the two-back system is what is the most effective. Having Zeke isn’t a hindrance, it’s a luxury, and the pairing with Tony Pollard has high potential if used correctly.
This year is as big a year for Zeke as it is for the Cowboys. If Zeke underperforms, he will be cut or be forced to take a massive salary cut. Just like last year, Zeke has come into OTA’s and offseason workouts looking like he’s in great shape, and I think he has a shot at getting 1500 total yards this season, assuming he stays healthy.